Avoid Election Day Drama

Here's everything you need to know before going to the polls

\n The 2008 epic presidential campaign is coming to a close, and you want to be damn sure your vote gets counted. Cosmo explains how to prevent a political faux pas, so you can rock the vote on Election Day.

Register ASAP!

Although voting laws differ slightly from state to state, there is one simple rule: If you aren't registered you can't vote. "Not knowing they need to be registered by the deadline is the biggest mistake young voters make," says Kelly Ceballos, communications director for the League of Women Voters. Find out what the deadline to register in your state is here.

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Then, prepare the voter registration form online, print, and send it to the address printed on the paper. First-time voters also need to include a photocopy of their driver's license or passport with a current address. You can also pick up a form at the post office.

You don't need to reregister every election cycle, but you do need to report any address or name changes to your local Board of Elections or Secretary of State. Can't remember if you updated your registration? Better to check now than be sorry later.

Beat the Crowd

Thanks to the historic nature of this election, officials are anticipating record turnout and long lines at the polls. If waiting for hours outside of a federal building doesn't sound like your idea of a Super Tuesday, find out if you can take advantage of early voting in your state.

Vote Even if You're MIA

Backpacking through Europe or attending college out of state isn't an excuse to skip your civic duty. Voting by absentee ballot is allowed in every state as long as you request to do so by the deadline. You can request to receive a ballot by mail for your home state here. Don't forget to send it back by the close of polls on Nov. 4.

Find Your Place

Finding your polling location is just one more thing that's been made easier by Google. Type your address into this Google Maps' Election 2008 tool to locate and get directions to your polling place.

Get Carded

Some states allow you to register with a party as a Democrat, Republican, or Independent, but you can vote for any candidate in the general election. Voter identification differs by state (check your state's requirements here), but it's a good idea to take your voter card and a photo ID such as a driver's license or passport when you cast your vote. Don't stress if you haven't received anything in the mail by Election Day; your name will be on the roll at the polls. In the worst-case scenario that your name didn't make the list, Ceballos recommends asking an election volunteer for a provisional ballot that will be tallied once your registration is confirmed. "Do not leave without voting," she says.

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Do Your Homework

Obama-Biden and McCain-Palin aren't the only politicians vying for your vote. "People who don't prepare are going to feel confused when they look at the list of candidates," says Adelaide Elm, senior adviser for the nonpartisan organization Project Vote Smart. Read the bios of candidates running for office in your state and local elections by entering your zip code here. If all else fails, use a lifeline. "It's better to make the call in advance, but we always have people call our voter research hotline (1-888-VOTE-SMART) on Election Day from the voting booth!" Elm says.